Feeding and swallowing difficulties are common yet often overlooked in pediatric oncology populations. For children undergoing cancer-directed treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, these challenges can significantly affect nutrition, airway protection, and overall well-being. Addressing dysphagia requires the expertise of swallowing specialists working in close collaboration with the broader oncology team and caregivers.
Dysphagia Management in Pediatric Oncology Populations: From Diagnosis to Survivorship, examines the unique role of the swallowing specialist across the continuum of care. Using case-based discussions, the presenters will outline evidence-informed assessment and intervention strategies, while emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing patient outcomes.
Feeding and Swallowing Challenges
Cancer treatments can disrupt normal feeding and swallowing in multiple ways. Three areas of concern frequently encountered in pediatric oncology include:
- Oral aversion and feeding resistance – Side effects such as nausea, altered taste, mucositis, and oral pain can lead to avoidance of food and reduced willingness to eat. This, in turn, increases the risk of inadequate nutritional intake.
- Impaired swallowing safety – Neurological changes, tumor involvement, or surgical/structural alterations can compromise airway protection. Aspiration risk may rise significantly during treatment, necessitating careful monitoring and intervention.
- Persistent or late effects in survivorship – Even after treatment completion, dysphagia may continue. Survivors can experience chronic difficulties with chewing, swallowing efficiency, or tolerance of varied textures, which may impact growth and long-term quality of life.
Early identification of these challenges is critical to supporting both medical outcomes and psychosocial well-being.
Role of the Swallowing Specialist
Speech language pathologists play an essential role in pediatric oncology care. Their involvement spans multiple stages:
- At diagnosis: Establishing a baseline assessment provides a foundation for monitoring changes throughout treatment.
- During treatment: Specialists develop individualized management strategies that may include diet texture modifications, compensatory swallowing techniques, and therapeutic interventions tailored to evolving needs.
- In survivorship: Continued assessment and rehabilitation address late effects of treatment, supporting long-term swallowing safety, nutrition, and independence.
By integrating clinical expertise with evidence-informed approaches, SLPs ensure that dysphagia management remains a central part of comprehensive cancer care.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Effective management requires more than isolated intervention. Dysphagia care in pediatric oncology is best approached through collaboration with oncologists, dietitians, nurses, psychologists, and, most importantly, caregivers. Each partner contributes essential insight: oncologists provide medical context, dietitians address nutritional adequacy, and caregivers implement strategies within daily routines. This collaborative framework ensures continuity of care and enhances the child’s quality of life both during and after treatment.
From Treatment to Survivorship
With improved survival rates in pediatric oncology, attention has shifted to functional outcomes that extend beyond cancer remission. Feeding and swallowing abilities represent an important domain of survivorship care. By addressing dysphagia across the trajectory of treatment and recovery, clinicians can reduce complications, promote growth, and support participation in age-appropriate activities.
This recorded webinar will provide an in-depth, case-based exploration of these issues, offering clinicians practical strategies to integrate into their own practice. For more information: Follow the link.
